A discourse concerning meekness and quietness of spirit to which is added, A sermon…

and have we no resentments of the Contempt and Contumely cast upon Religion? Can we sit by contentedly to hear God and Christ, and the Scripture and serious Godliness reflected upon, and have we nothing to say i• their behalf? Common equity obligeth us to be the Patrons of a just, but wronged Cause. And that we may not think our selves discharged from this Duty by our inability to defend the Truths and Ways of God, and so make our Ignorance and unskilfulness in the word of Righteousness, an excuse for our Cowardice and want of Zeal, we ought to take pains to furnish our selves with a clear and distinct knowledge of ⟨p. 46⟩the certainty of those thi•• wherein we have been instructed. ¹We must labour to understand not only the Truths and Principles, but the Grounds and Evidences of our Religion, that we may be able to give an Answer ([Greek or Hebrew], an Apology) to every Man that asks us a Reason of the Hope that is in us. ²How industrious are the profane Wits of the Age to find out something to say against Religion, and should not that quicken us to provide our selves with the Armour of Righteousness, ³both on the right hand and on the left, aiming at the Riches of the full, ⁴assurance of Understanding? And if we do (as there is occasion) with Humility and Sincerity, and from a principle of Zeal for God, and his Honour, appear in Defence of Religion, and its injured Cause, we may doubtless take encouragement from that promise, Mat. 10. 19. It shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. God will own those that own him, and will not fail to furnish his faithful Advocates with needful Instructions, and many a time ordains such strength out of the mouth of Babesi and Sucklings as strangely stills the Enemy and the Avenger.⁵